Sansevieria plant named ‘NITE LITE’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Sansevieria aubrytiana  plant named ‘NITE LITE’ particularly characterized by its variegated foliage with irregular, differently green toned bands with light green bands; wide and lanceolate leaves, supported in a rosette; 50-80 cm plant height; erect plant habit, high drought tolerance with low need for water and resistant to antrachnose ( Colletotrichum sansevieriae ).

Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant: Sansevieria aubrytiana.

Variety denomination: ‘NITE LITE’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Sansevieria plant, botanically known as Sansevieria aubrytiana, of the family Asparagaceae, hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘NITE LITE’.

Sansevieria is a monocotyledonous flowering plant which can be produced in either hard-leafed or soft-leafed varieties for interior use as a house plant or outdoors ornamental plant.

The new Sansevieria ‘NITE LITE’ originated from a naturally-occurring mutation of the Sansevieria ‘Yellowstone’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,361 P2). The new Sansevieria VARIETY DENOMINATION was discovered and selected by the inventor, Marvin Gonzalez Villegas, as a single sprouting rare mutation in a ‘Yellowstone’ plantation in a controlled environment in Monterrey, San Carlos, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica.

Asexual reproduction of the new Sansevieria cultivar by vegetative cuttings was first performed in July 2017 in Monterrey, San Carlos, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘NITE LITE’, which in combination distinguish this Sansevieria as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. Variegated foliage with different green tones on the         irregular bands and light green colored irregular bands in the         backside of the leaf blade.     -   2. Wide and lanceolate leaves, 60-90 cm and supported in a         rosette     -   3. 50-80 cm plant height.     -   4. Plant habit: Erect.     -   5. Needs little water and is very drought tolerant.

The new variety ‘NITE LITE’ presents an average of 6-8 leaves per plant when it reaches its maturity (between 6-10 months). The new variety has an erect growth habit, and the entire plant can reach a height between 50-80 cm. The leaves are slightly wide (7-10 cm average measured at the widest part of the mature leaf) and lanceolate with a soft waxy texture. The plant has a cylindrical shape.

The new variety is moderately drought tolerant, adapts to conditions of light and shade, and shows resistance to antrachnose (Colletotrichum sansevieriae) disease.

Plants of the new Sansevieria ‘NITE LITE’ differ from plants of the parental cultivar, ‘Yellowstone’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 31,361 P2) in the characteristics described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison with Parental Varieties Parent ‘Yellowstone’ New Cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. Characteristic ‘NITE LITE’ 31,361 P2) Plant Vigor More vigorous (more Less vigorous (less leaves). leaves). Color Variegated foliage Different green tone in with different green leaves and brighter tones on the irregular contrasting yellow bands and light green tones on the bands. colored irregular bands in the backside of the leaf blade. Shape Wide and lanceolate Wide and lanceolate leaves in a rosette. leaves in a rosette. Texture of Smooth-textured Smooth-textured leaves. leaves leaves.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Sansevieria ‘NITE LITE’ is the Sansevieria ‘Jaboa’ (unpatented) in the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Comparison with Comparison Cultivar New Cultivar Comparison Cultivar Characteristic ‘NITE LITE’ ‘Jaboa’ (unpatented) Plant Vigor Less vigorous. More vigorous. More plant height. Color Variegated foliage with Variegated leaves (different different green tones on the variegated leaves green tones irregular bands and light on the irregular (different green colored irregular green bands) and light green bands in the backside of the colored tones on the stripes leaf blade. along the margins irregular bands). Shape Wide and lanceolate leaves Wide and lanceolate leaves in a rosette. in a rosette. Texture of Smooth-textured leaves. Smooth-textured leaves. leaves

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Sansevieria cultivar ‘NITE LITE’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘NITE LITE’.

FIG. 1—Shows a side view of a six-month old plant of Sansevieria ‘NITE LITE’ in a 26 cm diameter pot.

FIG. 2—Shows a pot down view of a typical six-month-old plant of Sansevieria ‘NITE LITE’.

FIGS. 3A-3B—Shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of Sansevieria ‘NITE LITE’ from a six-month old plant (upper side-A, under side-B).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Sansevieria ‘NITE LITE’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Sansevieria cultivar ‘NITE LITE’ as grown in open field conditions in Monterrey, San Carlos, Alajuela province, Costa Rica, which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. ‘NITE LITE’ was grown in tropical lowlands in Costa Rica with day lengths of 12 to 13 hours and ambient temperature to 85 degrees. The level of relative humidity was 80%. No supplementary artificial light is necessary.

This crop does not require constant fertilization, to increase production per area about 200 kg ha-1 N, 150 kg ha-1 of P and 100 kg-ha K are required, the production is closely related with soil conditions in which they are grown.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. The photographs and descriptions were taken where general colors of ordinary significances are used. The photographs and descriptions were taken during the rainy season in Monterrey, San Carlos, Alajuela province, Costa Rica, with outdoor day temperatures of 24.5° C. during the day and 18° C. at night. The age of the plants described is 8 months.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Sansevieria aubrytiana.         -   Variety denomination.—‘NITE LITE’. -   Parentage: Sansevieria aubrytiana ‘Yellowstone’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.     31,361 P2). -   Optimal growth conditions:     -   -   Light intensities.—High adaptability to outdoor or indoor             conditions.         -   Temperature.—Day: 24° C. to 32° C. Night: 18° C. to 23° C.         -   Temperature tolerance.—Tolerant to a low temperature of             about 12° C. and tolerant to a high temperature of about 35°             C.         -   Fertilization.—200, 150 and 100 kg ha⁻¹ of N, P and K.         -   Growth regulators.—Not necessary. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Vegetative, by rooted cuttings.         -   Rooting habit and description.—Rhizomes, with short roots.         -   Time to initiate roots.—About 12 to 22 days at 20-25° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 15 to 22 days at             20-22° C. -   Plant:     -   -   General appearance and form.—         -   Height.—About 80 cm when grown in ground. About 50 cm when             grown in a 26 cm size container.         -   Spread.—About 15 cm when grown in ground. About 12 cm when             grown in 26 cm size container.         -   Form.—Monocot; leaf bases arranged in a rosette around             growth point.         -   Shape.—Cylindrical.         -   Growth rate and habit.—About 2 cm per week; upright.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Stem.—Modified (Rhizome and foliage). Length: About 12 cm             when grown in ground. About 8 cm when grown in 21 cm size             container. Diameter: About 3.0 cm to 4.0 cm. Shape: Round.             Texture: Rough. Color: RHS 4D. Strength: Strong and durable.             Internode length: About 0.6 mm to 0.8 mm. -   Foliage:     -   -   Quantity.—About 4-6 leaves.         -   Arrangement and attachment.—Single, alternate; leaf bases             arranged in a rosette around growth point.         -   Leaf length.—About 30 cm.         -   Leaf width.—About 9 cm.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex shape.—Acute, triangular.         -   Base shape.—Plane.         -   Margin.—Sharp, smooth.         -   Texture.—Upper Surface: Smooth and waxy texture. Under             Surface: Smooth and waxy texture.         -   Pubescence.—Upper Surface: None. Lower Surface: None.         -   Color of mature leaf.—Upper Surface: RHS 143 A and RHS             149 C. Lower Surface: RHS 140 D, RHS 141 C and RHS 145 C.         -   Color of immature leaf.—Upper Surface: RHS 143 A and RHS             149 C. Lower Surface: RHS 140 D, RHS 141 C and RHS 145 C.         -   Venation.—Pattern: Longitudinal/parallel leaf shape. Color:             None.         -   Leaf fragrance.—None. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Arrangement and type.—Inflorescence.         -   Orientation at opening.—Out of the spile.         -   Quantity.—Per Plant with at least one open flower: About 60             at 2 weeks.         -   Inflorescence size.—Length: About 35 cm. Diameter: About 1.2             cm.         -   Flower size.—Length: About 6 cm. Diameter: About 0.5 cm.             Depth: About 0.5 cm.         -   Fragrance.—None.         -   Bud.—         -   Rate of opening.—About 7 to 8 days, according to weather.         -   Shape.—Ovoid.         -   Length.—About 2 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 1 cm.         -   Color.—Apex: RHS 149 B. Base: RHS 142 B.         -   Texture (both surfaces).—Smooth. -   Reproductive organs: (None observed).     -   -   Androecium.—Stamen: Number: 6 per flower. Length: About             1.2 mm. Color: RHS 150 D. Anther: Length: About 4 mm. Width:             About 1 mm. Color: RHS 150 D. Filament: Length: About             1.3 mm. Color: RHS 150 D. Pollen: Amount: Moderate. Color:             RHS 150 D.         -   Gynoecium.—Pistil: Number: One per flower. Length: About             1.5 mm. Stigma: Length: About 0.5 mm. Width: About 1 mm.             Color: RHS 150 D. Style: Length: About 20 mm. Color: RHS             150 D. Ovary: Length: About 5 mm. Width: About 4 mm. Color:             RHS 143 A. -   Weather resistance: Drought Tolerant. -   Disease/pest resistance: High resistance to antrachnose     (Colletotrichum sansevieriae). -   Disease/pest susceptibility: Not observed so far. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Sansevieria plant named ‘NITE LITE’, substantially as illustrated and described herein. 